This One's for the Fellas...

Dating--it's a dwindling art form. This video is about how to rescue this art form, as well as to motivate  you to do it. Watch it. I promise you will learn something. 

Day 13: I still want chocolate.

Hey dolls!
I told you that I would give you an update about my 17 day diet! It's going pretty well! Not going to lie...it's almost impossible to use my college meal plan when the only things I can eat are fruits, vegetables, chicken, and fish. But I've been doing pretty well. I look and feel much better! I like wearing my blue jeans! (If you know me at all...I've never been a fan because it makes me look pear like). But now I don't resemble fruit at all!
Everyone has asked me if I got a new haircut lately...but I think that's a nice way of saying...
"your face has shrunk".

So all in all I'm pretty happy with it.... even if I am eating like a rabbit.

I've learned I can do without dairy. I can even do without bread. BUT TAKE MY CHOCOLATE?!?!

Umm....that's a no can do. This girl is gonna have to start buying that Skinny Cow Ice Cream and having one on friday's because no chocolate all the time is not going to fly. I'm sure my room mate wishes that I would just eat some already so I would be a nicer person. Haha.

But I'm staying strong because Spring Break is drawing near.
Mark my words....I will be fit and ready. And I want that way more than chocolate.

Hey doll, it's Non-Negotiable.

So I am pretty much obsessed with the TV show Millionaire Matchmaker. Patty Stanger is a goddess, and mark my words...I will apply to the millionaire's club within the next few years. From Patty Stanger (and much personal experience) I have definitely learned what I DO want and DON'T want in a relationship. These are what Patty calls your 5 non-negotiables.

Your non-negotiables are a list of 5 things that you MUST have in your next relationship. No questions asked. Non-negotiable. This list isn't meant for petty things such as looks or preferences....those are WANTS. (Ex: I would loooove a guy with blue eyes, who is over 6 feet, ripped, sexy, and rich...). Of course we all want those things...but they aren't really what is important.

This list is meant for qualities in your partner that you and you alone NEED to feel fulfilled and have a successful, healthy, and loving relationship. (Don't get this list confused with the list of healthy qualities that every relationship needs...such loyalty, respect, and trust, etc.)

Every girl and guy should have one of these. Weeding out that special someone would be so much easier if we didn't budge on our non-negotiables.

I'm single as a dollar, and I'm not looking for change right now. But...I now have my 5 non-negotiables, and they will be put to good use when the time comes.

So take notes fellas.

1. Christian- Above all else...this is the most important. I need a man who is on the same spiritual page with me. I want our relationship to resemble Christ and the Church's. I need him to be willing to make sacrifices (just as Jesus did) for our relationship and a future family. Number one covers a lot of bases. Because having a Christian man includes many many pluses.
2. Funny- I need funny. He doesn't have to be Dane Cook or anything, but I just need him to be able to make me laugh. I get stressed way too easily, and I need a man who can balance me out. I don't know why...but I just think funny is sexy... and sexual attraction is also important, eh?
3. Laid back- I need a man who can roll with the punches. I need someone who can just laugh it off when all the crappy things in life happen. I can't handle a stressed-out high conflict dude who lets little things ruin his whole day and our good time. I also need him to be laid back about me doing my thaaaang. Meaning if I wanna go on a trip to Charleston with my girls... he is thrilled that I get the opportunity to go, and he happily sends me on my merry way! (And I would do the same for him.)
4. Passionate about Life- I need a man who is passionate about life. And about me, of course.  (And about Jesus...but we covered that one in #1).  I need him to have something he loves to do and wishes to pursue (AKA he needs a life direction)! Whether it be snowboarding, rugby, cooking, traveling, or puppets (omg...Jason Segel...I love you)! I need him to be passionate about living life to the fullest and spending time with what he loves (including me...duh).  And If a man is passionate about life this means he has a sense of adventure, and I definitely need adventure. Adventure helps to keep love alive, and helps to keep life fun!
5. Healthy- Physical health is very important... considering I don't want the man I love to croak because of his obesity problem. But there's more than physical health. I want him to be healthy and well mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Mentally meaning I need him to be self confident and happy with who he is and what he does. I need him to have spiritual health so he cherishes the meaning of life and revels in each day we are given together. Lastly, I need him to be emotionally healthy. By this I mean I need him to be able to healthily display his emotions (no bad tempers), embrace them, and be able to share them with one another.

(note: non-negotaiables can change over time...depending on your needs and experiences)

So there they are ladies and gentlemen. My non-negotiables.
Get some of your own. I promise it will make relationships so much easier.
And remember...they are non-negotiable. So don't settle.

MAJOR dilemma.

Whoa is me.
Whoa is me.
I can't decide what I'm going to be.
French speaker? Teacher? Lawyer? Oh my!
Money is tight and time...well it flies.
Public relations? Communications? There's too many to choose.
I need God to send me some life altering clues.
Im in a major dilemma both literally and otherwise.
A science major? HAHA! Now I'm just telling lies.
I need to choose something quick to graduate on time.
But I can't find a mojor that seems to be mine...
It's a major dilemma that I don't have a direction.
Why can't I find that subject connection?!?
Whoa is me.
Whoa is me.
I don't know what I'm going to be!
I guess for now I'm just Olivia C!
Wait...that's ok I like her a lot.
She's pretty cool...major or not!
Hopefully soon this dilemma will flee.
But for now I'll just be happy being undecided me!

Balance, Choices, and Other Grownup Stuff

College Students. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, majors, religious and political views. Common ground is often hard to find when you're surrounded by so many different types of people on so many different paths. But over the last few weeks I have noticed one issue that most of my peers have in common.

Balance. We are all seeking this one precious necessity.

My Mac's Dictionary Widget defines Balance (N) as An even distribution of weight enabling something or someone to remain upright or steady.

Our challenge in life, but particularly as college students, is to try and fit as much as we possibly can in our lives (aka on our scale) without it toppling over. At the end of the day, we hope everything comes out upright and steady. This is a tedious and exhausting task, as most of you know.

We all have different things we struggle to balance.
Finding a balance with...
- eating healthy and going to Cook Out (aka the best yet the unhealthiest restaurant on the strip).
- doing your homework and having fun
- spending time with your friends and spending time with your significant other
- sleeping and working out
- job and social life

We manage pretty well most of the time, but there's one subject matter that I cannot figure out how to balance...it may not even be a balance at all. This is a pretty heavy subject matter, but I wrote this blog because many people have come to me with these questions lately. And honestly...I don't have the answers. So this time...I am writing more to see what you think than to tell you my own thoughts.

Here it goes...
 When is having fun--too much fun? And when does too much fun become wrong?
Many of us seek to know where the line is drawn. Especially Christians.

I know many Christian girls who want to have a typical college girl's night out every once in a while. I know many Christian guys who want to play beer pong on the weekends. And I know many Christians in general who want to live their social life to the fullest whilst keeping their faith.  But is it possible? Can those girls have both their faith and go dancing at a club? Can those guys play beer pong on game day? When does fun turn into sin, and how do we determine when it does?  Many people debate over God's rules and regulations to balancing these "gray" situations. For example, some questions are...
- Can we drink--but just not get drunk?
- Can we go to clubs but just not booty dance?
- Can we play beer pong on game days but make sure to stop after one game?
- Can we kiss him/her but make sure to go no further?
- Can we smoke weed  in legal states? Or not at all?


Like I said...maybe it's not a balance at all. Maybe it's a choice--all or nothin', ya know?
I know one thing is for certain...Jesus picked ALL. He chose all of us.

And deep down I go with the choice option...but that doesn't mean it's always easy.
Sheesh this grown-up stuff it tough.

Comments would be good.

Do you think you can balance your faith and your social life with rules and regulations to come out upright and steady?
If so... how do you define them exactly?
Or do you think it's a choice between the two?

Tall. Tan. Fit. And Ready... Well maybe just the last two.

Hey dolls. So I was debating on what my next blog should be about when I realized: people write about what they know. And there is one thing I know for sure...I NEED CHOCOLATE.

You see...I am on this program called the 17 day diet. It's not actually a diet. It's more like a detox and an eating plan combined. But you can only eat certain foods...and chocolate definitely isn't one of them. There are three cycles. Each cycle consists of 17 days each.

During the first 17 days, or the first cycle, you must drink a hot cup of water with lemon juice every morning (AKA detox part). And the only foods you are allowed to eat are: fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry (including eggs and turkey bacon). I also must have two yogurts a day, as well as 3 glasses of green tea, and 2 nalgene size bottles of water.

This is really scientific if you think about it. I mean...it's flushing out your system. After this cycle you will no longer crave bad sugars and carbs. Lord knows this is what I need.

I am only on day two... so I am going through chocolate withdrawals at this point. But I am a Crowe so that means I have the willpower to make it through.

During the second cycle, you have another list of foods to add to what you are already eating. At this cycle you can eat whole grains and low fat dairy products. Such as: oatmeal, cheese, brown rice, etc. You can also start drinking alcohol in moderation during this cycle. And more good fats are also added. For example, avocado. Now your body is officially no longer craving bad carbs and completely enjoys these good carbs. Not only do you enjoy them, but the energy produced by these good carbs and fats are at their full potential. Meaning...you feel more energized than ever while still dropping pounds.

In the third cycle, your body is slowly introduced to most other foods (in moderation of course). By this point you should learn what foods make you feel energized and what foods do not. And by this pont you should have lost a bit of weight...meaning you won't want to go back to your old eating habits. I mean...why would you go back if you look hot and feel awesome?

You wouldn't. Duh.
So we've got the "fit, and ready" part down. But what about tall and tan?

Unfortunately, after almost two years of laying in the tanning bed I realized that being tan isn't worth risking my health...even if I do look supa sexy. Naturally, I have porcelain skin, and I don't keep a tan for long anyway. I was just wasting my money. Besides if I am trying so hard to be healthy on the inside...why would I risk my health on the outside?
I shouldn't. Duh.

The whole being tall thing...well I can't really fix that. That's what high heels are for I suppose.

So I'll just have to be Olivia Crowe--short, pale, fit, and ready. And I am more than Ok with that.
Oh...and my real prince charming will be too.

PS. I'll update you on my progress with this 17 day business. So far I am liking it...even if I do need a chocolate fix.

G-g-g-get a "lip" of this lovin.

I would just like to say that I love lipstick.
I wear lipstick every day.
I will wear lipstick until it wears off in my casket.
I prefer Revlon Red #740-or Apple Brandy by clinique (so remember that when I die).
I prefer Lipstick to lipgloss because my hair does not get caught in lipstick when the wind blows.


This is something about me that won't change. And I love it.
And whoever I kiss, date, or marry will have to love it too.
Because that just comes with the package, baby.

What I don't want...
#thatawkwardmoment when someone won't kiss you because you have lipstick on

What I do want...
#thatamazingmoment when someone leans in for a kiss and you begin to stop them saying "But I'll get lipstick all over you" and they reply "I couldn't care less"...

Moral of this blog: If he won't kiss you with lipstick on, he's just not that into you. Keep the lipstick, ditch the guy. And find one that "couldn't care less."

Back On Rocky Top.

I moved back into my apartment this morning. I can't express how much I love it here. My little janky apartment feels so much like home. Well first of all...I live with my best friend in the whole world, and since she was gone to Maryland the whole break it works out great because now we get to make up for lost time. That's a definite plus. Also I love my apartment because no one sleeps in my bed but me. No one uses my toothbrush but me. And I can leave the dishes in the sink as long as I want.

Don't get me wrong...I loved being at home this winter break. There are multiple pros. For example, when your tire busts your dad is only a few minutes away to come rescue you. You don't have to pay $1.25 per load of laundry. Not to mention Mom does your laundry. THERE IS A DISHWASHER. That is pretty much domestic heaven right there. Also, there's time to take bubble baths, watch Sex and The City,  knit, and read. The best part of being home is that every morning you have two very wise breakfast buddies (if you wake up early enough to catch them, that is).

As I reflect on my break I realize I did a lot of productive things for myself! I bought new snowboarding boots (thanks to Jordan Puente). I worked at TJmaxx with one of my best friends and made several new lifelong friends. I often babysat a precious little girl. I had a guitar lesson with a good friend. I indulged myself with manicures, pedicures, baking, and movie nights with friends. I read the Hunger Games series and began Chronicles of Narnia. I had a blessed Christmas with friends and family. I took an amazing road trip to Nashville for New Years with one of my best guy friends. I stayed with one of my AXO sisters and we had much needed girl time. I even had dinner and saw Lynyrd Skynyrd with an old flame.

While I was in Nashville for New Years eve someone asked me of my resolutions (the most asked question of the holiday). I just answered that I wish to be healthy and happy. They told me that was sort of vague...but it's not really to me. I wish to feel happy about my life and myself. And I wish to feel healthy and make healthy decisions. So far...I with this break I feel pretty accomplished.
So far all of the worries the doctors had about my health were simply that....just worries. I am as healthy as can be and getting healthier every day. Not only am I healthy...I am happy! My confidence has improved leaps and bounds. Another thing that I have achieved is happiness when being alone. All alone. I have come to love this free feeling.

Now that I am the best me I can be at UT, I can't be any more excited to start this semester. I am happier and healthier than I have been in years, and I cannot wait to enjoy this semester with my sisters and my friends.
I can't imagine being anywhere else.

As cheesy as it is I realize that Rocky top will always be...home sweet home to me.

Words with Friends (and Lovers)

Words. We are obsessed with them. We add new words to the dictionary every year. Singers, songwriters, and Rap stars publish whatever is on their minds. Their lyrics intrigue us. Most comedians we enjoy have gimmicks having to do with word play. We watch late night talk shows... (need I say more?). We even play Words with Friends on our iphones. Words in statuses and tweets are what we follow. We read daily blogs (see? you are doing it now), newspapers, and books. And I can't forget to mention that in our language today there are no words that are off limits...even the not so classy ones are thrown about like a beach ball. But what does it all mean? 

Are any of the words we see, hear, read, or say of truth? Are there actions that follow? 

Or are words only words and nothing more?

All of this can confuse a girl. It can pretty tiresome when our environments are constantly gabbing. Especially when us women over analyze every single word we see, hear, read, or say. I know I get exhausted because I have the memory of an elephant and remember most every word spoken, heard, or read that I come across. This makes it incredibly hard to move on from the past sometimes. 

I am POSITIVE I am not the only girl who frequents the familiar phrase: "but he told me..."

 "but he told me..." that we would be together forever...

 "but he told me..."that he would always love me...

 "but he told me..." that we would get married someday...

 "but he told me..."that he would never cheat on me...

The sad part is they probably really meant these things at the time when they said them. 

But so did Mr. Married when he took his vows...and then cheated on his wife a few years later.

So where is the line drawn? Obvi... we are aware that Mr. Married is a total loser if he broke his vows. But we should just forget about all those things he promised us and get over it because we weren't married to them, right? No

Aren't words supposed to be a vow of action? Especially in love? Well that is what God says.  In 1 John 3:18 it says "dear children, let us not love in word or talk but in action and in truth."

I once had a man tell me that he would lasso me the moon if I wanted it. Luckily I have never had a real desire for the moon to be a lovely decoration in my household, therefore I never asked him get it for me. 

 He also told me... "I'll never ever ever stop loving you. I'll love you even after the sun stops shining. Even after the moon stops glowing. Even after the grass stops growing. Even after the rain stops falling. Even after the sea stops calling. I'll never ever cease loving you." (Now that's romance, eh?)

He said this to me...but did he really mean it? Will he always continue loving me? I guess we will just have to see what happens when the sun no longer shines, the moon no longer glows, the grass no longer grows, the rain no longer falls, and the sea no longer calls. I wish he had included something like...and "when we are done with college" because honestly I don't wanna wait until the sun stops shining. 

Thumper had it all figured out. "if you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all" ....wait...I don't think that's quite it. Let's go with a little modification... "if you can't back up somethin' with actions, don't say nothin' at all"...yeah thats it. 

If you can't DO it...don't SAY you can. 

I am just as guilty of my actions not always backing up my words. I am really trying to work on that. I always try to go with the whole "actions speak louder than words" deal. 

Words with friends may be a fun game on the iphone, but it's serious business when it comes to reality. In my book at least.